Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (2024)

Published: Updated: By: Melissa Oleary

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Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

5 comments

5 from 26 votes

This hot mulled apple cider with warm Fall spices will warm you up on even the coldest days. This mulled cider is so easy to make and the mulling spices ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You will want to cozy up to this warm drink anytime the temperature drops!

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (1)

This recipe for hot apple cider is what I learned to make when I lived in New England and it is a favorite recipe we continue to make today.

This easy warm apple drink is a symbol of all the flavors of fall. It is full of warm fall spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and is so comforting.

Much like my apple cider martini, spiced pear martini, pumpkin creme brulee, eggnog, or pumpkin cake, it has all the delicious warm Fall spices I love. When it is just me and I want another Fall treat to go with this, I make my mini pumpkin custards 🙂

An added bonus when making this warm cider is your home will smell wonderful with the apple and cinnamon scent filling it with a beautiful aroma. Once the temps drop, this is the drink you need to make!

Enjoy this cider any way you like but just make sure to make it!

Table of contents

  • What you will need
  • How to make mulled apple cider
  • Tips
  • More Cozy Recipes
Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (2)

What you will need

Cider

  • Apple Cider: Apple cider is different than apple juice. Make sure to look for cider.

Mulling Spice Recipe

  • Cinnamon sticks: Using whole cinnamon sticks makes it easier to remove after the mulling. This adds flavor to the cider.
  • Whole cloves. This adds such warmth to the mulled cider.
  • Orange peel: Just the peel which has the oil of the orange. I like this in mulled cider. You can leave it out if you do not.
  • Star anise. Not only is it pretty but this spice adds such a warming Fall note.
  • Any of your favorite Fall spices! Make this your own by adding in your favorite Fall spices.

How to make mulled apple cider

Making this is so easy. It is just adding the ingredients into a pot. Here are the steps (full recipe below):

  • Pour apple cider into a pot: Pour your cider into a large pot over the stove. You can use your slow cooker as well. Make sure you are using store-bought apple cider (not apple juice).
  • Adding mulling spices to your cider: Here you are going to add your Fall spices to the pot. You will want to use whole spices and not powdered.
  • Warm the apple cider: Cook it on low over your stovetop for about an hour and that is it!

Recipe Tip: You will start to see apple cider in your grocery stores (or at the apple orchards) around the start of the Fall season. If you have extra cider leftover from this recipe, you can make apple cider oatmeal with it so there is no waste!

Tips

  • Mulled cider in the slow cooker: You can make this in the slow cooker and it comes out great. Just set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1-2 hours. Make sure to check it periodically to be sure it is not evaporating too much.
  • Do not use powdered spices: You want to be able to serve this drink without any bits in it. By using whole spices you can remove them before serving or at least scoop some cider without it getting into your drink.
  • Make it your own: These are my favorite spices that are in the mulled cider recipe but you can definitely adjust this to suit your preference. This is your drink!
  • Serve this warm or hot: If you have young kids, make sure to serve this cider warm and not hot.

More like this

If you love this mulled cider recipe, you may also like these:

  • Easy Boozy Baileys Milkshake
  • Easy Eggnog Recipe (Without Alcohol)
  • Easy Homemade Marshmallows
  • Homemade Apple Dumplings with Puff Pastry

More Cozy Recipes

If you love this mulled cider, you may also like these cozy Fall recipes:

  • Pan Fried Gnocchi with Kale and Parmesan Cream
  • Pasta alla Genovese (Beef and Onion Genovese Sauce)
  • One Pot Sausage Tortellini Soup
  • Roasted Acorn Squash And Carrot Soup With Pistou

📖 Recipe

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (11)

Print Recipe

5 from 26 votes

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe)

This hot mulled apple cider with warm Fall spices will warm you up on even the coldest days.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Melissa Oleary

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon store bought apple cider not apple juice.
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoon whole cloves or to taste
  • 1 orange peel cut into strips
  • 1 star anise whole
  • 1 piece of cheese cloth You can omit this but just make sure to skim the spices out at the end before serving

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot add all of your apple cider and turn the heat to medium.

    1 gallon store bought apple cider

  • Take your cheesecloth if using and wrap all of your spices (except orange peels) in it and tie it closed with some kitchen twine. If you do not have these things then just make sure you skim the spices out of the cider at the end of mulling.

    2 cinnamon sticks, 2 tablespoon whole cloves, 1 star anise whole, 1 piece of cheese cloth

  • Now add your spices and orange peel to your pot of cider

    1 orange peel

  • Once your cider starts to show steam coming off the top, turn heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes. I like to keep it on the stove for a few hours to scent up the house but you will loose some of the cider with evaporation.

  • Once your cider has been cooking for 30 minutes or so, ladle out into mugs, and enjoy.

Notes

Mulled cider in the slow cooker

You can make this mulled apple cider in the slow cooker and it comes out great. Just set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1-2 hours. Make sure to check it periodically to be sure it is not evaporating too much.

Alcohol that goes with mulled cider

If you are looking to make a mulled cider with alcohol all you need to do is add the alcohol to the cider at the time of serving. Whiskey and rum are great additions

    Nutrition

    Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Values are estimates only.

    See full nutrition disclaimer here

    Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!

    Course :Drinks

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

    1. Dina says

      Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (16)
      Absolutely delicious! It tasted awesome and my whole house smells like a Fall candle:)

      Reply

      • Melissa says

        I am so glad you enjoyed it! There is nothing better than the smell of Fall in the house 🙂

        Reply

    2. Judy says

      Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (17)
      Everyone loved it!

      Reply

      • Melissa says

        So glad to hear that!

        Reply

    Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (2024)

    FAQs

    Can you just heat up apple cider? ›

    1. Combine apple juice or apple cider with cloves and cinnamon in a microwaveable mug, cup or glass. 2. Heat in the microwave oven, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes.

    What is mulled cider made of? ›

    Mulled apple cider is unfiltered apple juice that's been heated and flavored with mulling spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; and fruits like oranges, lemons, and apples. I'll also add a little dark rum if it's just us grown ups enjoying a round of apple cider co*cktails!

    What alcohol goes well in apple cider? ›

    Many alcohols mix well with apple cider. Dark liquors like bourbon (my pick) or dark rum are traditional, but they are by no means the only option. Vodka pairs well with apple cider and is a good light option. You can even let guests each pick their own.

    Is mulled apple cider good for you? ›

    Is mulled apple cider good for you? Mulled apple cider contains nutrients found in apples, including antioxidants like polyphenols. Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress to keep cells healthy. Apples are also rich in quercetin, pectin, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber.

    What does warm apple cider do to your body? ›

    Apple cider contains polyphenols, which are compounds in plants that act as antioxidants. They can help the body to fight against free radicals and cell damage, lowering your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols also help to ease inflammation in the body.

    Is apple cider just hot apple juice? ›

    Apple cider is made of pressed fresh apples. Unfiltered and raw, it doesn't contain added sugar, undergoes minimal processing, and is usually unpasteurized. It tends to be slightly darker than apple juice, more opaque, and can sometimes have residue at the bottom.

    Why is my mulled cider bitter? ›

    Alcohol (some honey varieties, some fruits, and some adjuncts) can add bitterness. Bitterness balances sweetness. Low sweetness in the presence of higher alcohol will make the cider seem bitter. High sweetness and low alcohol will make the cider seem cloying.

    Does the alcohol cook out of mulled cider? ›

    Spiking Mulled Cider

    Add alcohol to a single mug or the batch of cider after cooking so the alcohol doesn't cook off.

    How long will mulled cider keep? ›

    Storage: Mulled cider can be refrigerated for up to a week. Just bring it to a simmer before serving. Garnish: Orange wheels, a curled orange peel, thin apple slices, a cinnamon stick, or nothing at all.

    What is alcoholic apple cider called? ›

    Apple cider is apple juice that has not been filtered and still contains all the apple pieces, pulp, and sediment. It is the raw, purer version of apple juice. To make an alcoholic cider, yeast is added which converts the sugar into alcohol. Simple right? Hard cider is the adult version of apple cider.

    What is the best apple for cider? ›

    The apple varieties that we generally find in stores and that are used for the making of modern-style ciders include McIntosh, Golden and Red Delicious, Goldrush, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Idared, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Gala, and Fuji.

    Can regular apple cider turn into alcohol? ›

    Fresh apple cider doesn't contain alcohol. It's possible for unpasteurized cider to ferment over time and become alcoholic, creating hard apple cider. If you don't want your cider to become alcoholic, then it's best to drink it within two weeks of making it.

    What is the best cider for mulled cider? ›

    The cider should be a medium brown color and cloudy. The cloudiness indicates the juice hasn't undergone the filtering process, leaving the rich apple flavour pulp in the juice. Skip the commercially available brands and go straight for the good stuff: whole spices in the spice aisle.

    What do you eat with mulled cider? ›

    The Ultimate Food & Cider Pairing Guide
    • Squeeze. Tomato Based Dishes, Spinach Salad. ...
    • Raspberry. Sweets, Chocolates. ...
    • Berries. Soft Cheese, Crackers. ...
    • Caramel Apple. Apple Slices, Ice Cream. ...
    • Cranberry Orange. Grilled Meat, Pecan Pie. ...
    • Original. Nuts, Sharp Cheese, Grilled Brats. ...
    • Porch Sittin' Cinnamon. Donuts, Pear Slices.
    Aug 5, 2022

    What is the difference between cider and mulled cider? ›

    Apple cider is the juice pressed out of apples, and mulled apple cider is cider that has been infused with warm spices, like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Can mulled cider be reheated? Yes, mulled cider can be reheated and enjoyed.

    Does apple cider go bad if it gets warm? ›

    To ensure your cider remains fresh and enjoyable, consider these storage tips: Temperature Control: Store the drink in a cool, dark place. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect its taste and longevity. Upright Storage: Keep the bottles upright to minimize oxidation and contamination from the cork.

    What does boiling apple cider do? ›

    It's a classic reduction, an ideal way to concentrate the sweetness and tang of a well-balanced cider.

    Can you heat up unpasteurized apple cider? ›

    coli 0157:H7. Fresh cider is typically not pasteurized, but recent data has shown that heating cider for only 6 seconds at 160°F eliminates E. coli contamination.

    Is it okay to warm up apple juice? ›

    Flavour apple juice with citrus and spice and heat until fragrant, to create a warm spiced apple juice. A delicious and warming drink. What is this? This mulled apple juice recipe can be made on the stove top in under 30 minutes, or for a hands-off approach, make it in the slow cooker.

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